Hello, February! <3 As expected I’ve slacked off on my blog posts when I got back at work, but I can’t let the love month go by without a Pinoy Movie x Book Match post, so here it is — a love month special featuring F.L.A.M.E.S. the Movie (1997)!
F.L.A.M.E.S. the Movie is available on iWant.
THE MOVIE
F.L.A.M.E.S. the Movie is a two-part film special derived from a weekly TV series called F.L.A.M.E.S., which featured love stories starring 90s teen actors. It aired in ABS-CBN 2 from 1996-2002.
The first part of the film is called Tameme, featuring Jolina Magdangal (Leslie) and Marvin Agustin (Butch). Leslie and Butch are in their high school theatre org, and are in the middle of putting together a stage production of Francisco Balagtas’ Florante at Laura. But while Butch has had a crush on Leslie for god-knows-how-long, he does not have the courage to tell her how he feels. This makes Leslie, who likes Butch back, takes matters into her own hands. Their blossoming young love is eventually hindered by Butch’s belief that he is not worthy of Leslie because of his status in life (she’s well off, he’s not), and he begins to distance himself from her so she’d set her sights on someone else.
Pangako, the second part of the film, stars Rico Yan (Joel) and Claudine Barretto (Karina). Karina has become the breadwinner of her family after her father passed away and her mother abandoned her responsibilities because of immense grief. She meets Joel, who introduces a little light in her life, encouraging her to let her hair down and have fun every now and then. When Karina’s mother finds out about Joel and his influence on her daughter, she expresses her disapproval of him and commands Karina to leave him. Karina is left to decide whether to remain a dutiful daughter, or leave that stifling life behind to start a new one with the man she loves.
Tameme is also the title of the song Jolina Magdangal sings in the F.L.A.M.E.S. the Movie soundtrack. Two decades may have passed, but I still remember the words! 😛 (And I remember buying this album too, when I was a young Jolina Magdangal fan!)
THE BOOK MATCH
My book matches for this film don’t rely on a single trope. Instead, I put F.L.A.M.E.S. the Movie under the anthology category, and therefore I will be recommending five #romanceclass anthologies for your reading pleasure. ^_^
Summer Crush
When life, love, and rock and roll come together on the sandy beaches of La Union for music festival Summer Crush, expect nothing less than the crashing of lips, bodies, and waves against the shore, against each other, and against your soul.
Allow these three tales of love to take you away for an unforgettable weekend.
Ana’s life as a corporate warrior, graduate student, and girlfriend to indie rock band boy Miki starts to spin out of control, and she wonders if it is love that has to give. (You Only Need Reminding, Jay E. Tria)
Newly reinstated EG Project roadie Filipina Legaspi flies with her band back to the Philippines for Summer Crush, unaware of the emotional waves that engulf her when she sets foot in the beaches of San Juan, La Union. (Almost There, Tara Frejas)
Rhys has three problems: Arabella, the theme song with the Trainguy, and singing live for the first time—and now also on that list is Isaiah, sea-sweet Mango Rum kisses, and long overdue decisions she’s intent on avoiding. (Ocean Eyes, Six de los Reyes)
Summer Feels
Summer loving happens so fast, as you’ll find with Summer Feels, an anthology of 23 stories of love under the summer sun by #romanceclass authors. Savor the candied thrill of firsts—first loves, first kisses, first solo vacations—and the bittersweet triumph of second chances. Tour the Philippines as the stories take you to mountain retreats and island paradises. Let the magic of the hot sun, clear blue skies, and lots of love take you on a roller coaster ride of feels. With stories ranging from sweet to sexy, there’s sure to be something for any fan of romance.
Featuring stories by:
Elea Andrea Almazora • Erleen Alvarez • Ella Banta • Rachelle Belaro • H. Bentham • Halina Cabrera • Charlie Dio • Mina V. Esguerra • Elizabeth Galit • Georgette S. Gonzales • Ami Granada • Irene Jurado • Catherine Lo • Arlene Manocot • Bianca Mori • Eris Peñaluna • Farrah F. Polestico • Kit Salazar • Miel Salva • Fay Sebastian • Kate Sebastian • Yeyet Soriano • Marian Tee
Start Here
There’s a first time for everything. Gatecrashing a KPop concert with an oppa in a business suit. Taking shelter from the storm with the girl you’ve been meaning to shake off. That kiss that blurs the line between friendship and something more. A one-night stand (or, is it?) with your best friend from across the hallway.
Dive into these 10 stories of first encounters – unapologetically queer, happy endings required, with a smattering of that signature #romanceclass kilig. Whether you’re recalling your own firsts or out there looking for one, there’s a story in here for you.
So, go on.
Turn the page.
Start here.
(Edited by Ronald S. Lim and Brigitte Bautista. Featuring short stories by Agay Llanera, H. Bentham, Ella Banta, Danice Sison, Yeyet Soriano, Barbie Barbieto, Katt Briones, Bobbi Moran, Motzie Dapul, and Brigitte Bautista. This anthology contains M/M, F/F, F/NB romance stories with happy endings. Some stories have a high heat level.)
Alta: A High Society Romance Anthology
You’re invited to the most awaited party of the century!
Climb up the dizzying altitude of Manila’s high society where the air is never thin enough, the view is always spectacular, if a bit vertigo-inducing, and the summit is crowded with well-heeled elite jostling for the top socialite spot. Scandals, sexy shenanigans, and sizzling romance happen as the filthy rich Aritz family don their diamonds, designer gowns, and bespoke suits and gather to celebrate their matriarch’s ninetieth birthday!
LONGING FOR by CARLA DE GUZMAN
Everyone knows that Allie Medina is in love with Logan Aritz Hilario. With his sexy hair and Aritz nose, it’s a miracle she’s managed to keep her feelings a secret from him every time they cross paths. But her boss, Doña Carmen has had enough of secrets and hatched the perfect plan to throw Allie and Logan together on an all-expenses paid trip to romantic Vienna.
Together in a foreign land and far away from Logan’s family’s influence and wealth, could this be Allie’s chance to finally be on equal footing with the man she’s always thought of as out of her league? And will Logan finally see her for what she’s truly worth?
SAFE PLACES by BIANCA MORI
Heiress-slash-performance artist Natalia Aritz turns up in Manila after a disastrous Italian sojourn, heart too wrung out to even want to leave the house. That is, until a surprising meeting with her college classmate and old friend, Nicky Aventado.
He’s asking for a favor she can’t refuse. But his connections to her family’s past isn’t the only reason why she agrees to sneak him into her grandmother’s birthday party. There’s just something about those lips she can’t resist…
HERE COMES THE ONE by SUZETTE DE BORJA
Intensely private Joaquin Aritz abhors attention. Especially the kind where the Aritz Corporation heir gets a special mention in a video gone viral featuring vlogger and D-list celebrity Kelly Monago. She’s young, brazen, and turns heads wherever she goes, including Joaquin’s.
He thinks giving in to their simmering desire is a bad idea. Kelly is on a mission to convince him they should explore the attraction-and each other-before coming to a conclusion.
Promdi Heart (Hometown Love Stories)
Take a quick tour of the Philippines with six hometown love stories.
Visit Jimenez, Misamis Occidental where a priest might just set you up with a man whose dimples are to die for.
Visit Silay, Negros Occidental and get on a horse alongside hunky, hazel-eyed Negrense royalty.
Visit Kalibo, Aklan and find yourself in the arms of a cute drummer boy who just happens to be your kuya’s BFF.
Visit Hagonoy, Bulacan and spend All Saint’s Day next to a distracting boy who promises to write you a song.
Visit Vigan, Ilocos Sur and meet the hot man you used to bully when he was a shy, scrawny boy.
Visit Pundaquit, Zambales and find love in a bronzed fisherman whose eyes hold depths you’ll want to explore.
Have you read any of these anthologies? If so, which one is your favorite? ^_^
I’m still trying to figure out what movie to feature next, so it might take a long while until the next Pinoy Movie x Book Match. Any recommendations will be appreciated though!
More Filipino-authored romances in English may be found at the #romanceclass website.
What is #romanceclass?
#romanceclass is a community of:
- Authors who attended #romanceclass, #romanceclass2016, the steamy reads, YA classes organized by Mina V. Esguerra
- Readers of the books by those authors
- Readers of English-language romance books by Filipino authors
- Actors and artists who are part of the event and publishing process
